Communications group Beattie has reported a “record year” for 2016 with a rise in both turnover and profits.

Beattie, which last month appointed former Saatchi & Saatchi chief Kevin Roberts as its chairman, said total billings across its three headline brands are nearing £20m. Pre-tax profits were 6 per cent higher in 2016 at £624,000, with turnover up 7 per cent at £9.3m.

Chief executive Laurna Woods said it was a further year of “steady progress” for the group, which was originally founded as a news agency in Lanarkshire in 1986. Developments included expansion into Canada, the establishment of a PR training academy and the overhaul of the group's various websites.

“The latest record figures were recorded after an unprecedented performance in 2015,” Woods said. “They are, of course, particularly pleasing because 2016 was our 30 anniversary year.”

Beattie chief executive Laurna Woods said it was a further year of “steady progress” for the group

New clients won during the year included retail chain Smiggle, Dairy Crest, Discovery Channel, High Street TV and the Vue cinema chain.

The group's headline brands are Beattie, student recruitment arm 11ten and the Only Marketing series of specialist boutiques such as Only Digital and Only Crisis. It employs about 100 people across eight UK offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Glasgow.

Dividends of £430,000 were paid to shareholders in the company, which was founded by its president Gordon Beattie. Performance bonuses of £80,000 were awarded to members of staff.

Woods highlighted the appointment of Roberts, who joined Beattie after his departure last year from Publicis following controversial comments on diversity in the advertising industry. In a further high-profile appointment, Beattie signed former Grayling chief executive Alison Clarke as chair of its Only Marketing division.

Woods predicted further growth for the group in the coming year, despite wider political and economic uncertainty.

“Everything in the garden is rosy,” she added. “While we cannot predict the impact of Brexit on us or the economy, 2017 promises to be another flourishing year for Beattie.”